have and have got

  • Post author:
  • Post category:Bahasa Inggris
  • Post last modified:October 8, 2021
  • Reading time:6 mins read
5
(2)

have and have got (= for possession, relationships, illnesses, appointments etc.)

You can use have or have got. There is no difference in meaning. You can say:

  • They have a new car. or They’ve got a new car.
  • Lisa has two brothers. or Lisa has got two brothers.
  • I have a headache. or I’ve got a headache.
  • Our house has a small garden. or Our house has got a small garden.
  • He has a few problems. or He’s got a few problems.
  • I have a driving lesson tomorrow. or I’ve got a driving lesson tomorrow.

With these meanings (possession etc.), we do not use continuous forms (I’m having etc.):

  • We’re enjoying our holiday. We have / We’ve got a nice room in the hotel. (not We’re having a nice room)

For the past we use had (usually without got):

  • Lisa had long hair when she was a child. (not Lisa had got)

In questions and negative sentences there are three possible forms:

In past questions and negative sentences, we use did/didn’t:

  • Did you have a car when you were living in Paris?
  • I didn’t have my phone, so I couldn’t call you.
  • Lisa had long hair, didn’t she?

have breakfast / have a shower / have a good time etc.

We also use have (but not have got) for things we do or experience. For example:

Have got is not possible in these expressions. Compare:

  • Sometimes I have (= eat) a sandwich for my lunch. (not I’ve got) but I’ve got / I have some sandwiches. Would you like one?

You can use continuous forms (I’m having etc.) with these expressions:

  • We’re enjoying our holiday. We’re having a great time.
  • ‘Where’s Mark?’ ‘He’s having a shower.’

In questions and negative sentences we use do/does/did:

  • I don’t usually have a big breakfast. (not I usually haven’t)
  • Where does Chris usually have lunch?
  • Did you have trouble finding somewhere to stay? (not Had you)

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 2

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

As you found this post useful...

Follow us on social media!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?